Actias

Species of Actias in Indiana

Luna Moth image — Luna Moth
(*Actias Luna*)

Genus Actias

Leach, 1815

Etymology

Actias: In Greek mythology, Actaeus was the first king of Attica, father of Aglaurus, and father-in-law to Cecrops

Relief of Actaeus — 2nd Century BC relief on the Pergamon Altar depicting Ajax killing Actaeus and Heloros

Pronunciation

ak-tee-uhs

Overview

Actias is a genus of silk moths in the family Saturniidae. Characteristics common to the genus include the long “tails” on their hindwings and the “moon spots” on both sets of wings.

Taxonomic Level	Worldwide	North America	Midwestern USA	Indiana
Distribution of Genus Actias
Species	~49	2^a	1	1

^a In addition to the luna moth (Actias luna), the other North American species of Actias is the Mexican moon moth (Actias truncatipennis).

Type Species

Actias luna, described in 1758 by Carl Linnaeus as Phalaena luna

Actias in Indiana

The map, graph, and data below represent the Indiana sightings of the genus Actias. All sightings were confirmed through photographic evidence by individuals who contributed to the Great American IN Nature Lepidoptera Project (GAIN LP). All data is current as of 19 April 2024.

Occurrences by County

Counties recorded: 67 of 92

Top counties/#of records:
Monroe: 62
Washington: 56
Hamilton: 46
Marion: 40
Brown: 38
Scott: 27
Hendricks: 26

species present icon GAIN LP documented in county

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of Nancy Padan. Relief depicting Ajax killing Actaeus and Heloros courtesy of Marcus Cyron.

Additional Sources

ADW: Actias: CLASSIFICATION. 2018. Animaldiversity.org. [accessed 2018 Jun 6]. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Actias/classification/